Scarf with integrated bag

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a scarf including first and second fabric panels, each panel having a lower portion defined by a bottom edge and side edges, each panel having two upper extensions extending from the lower portion, each upper extension defined by a top edge and curved sloping sides. The panels are secured to one another along the bottom edges and along the side edges. The top edges of the first panel are secured to one another to form a first panel seam having a top side and a bottom side. The top edges of the second panel are secured to one another to form a second panel seam having a top side and a bottom side. When the bottom side of the second panel seam is matched to the bottom side of the first panel seam, each panel folds and the folded second panel is in concave alignment with the folded first panel. The securing of the panels along the bottom edges and along the side edges forms a bag. The securing of the first panel top edges to one another forms a first handle and the securing of the second panel top edges to one another forms a second handle and the handles support carrying of the bag. The relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for maximizing volume of the bag without compromising the comfortable placement of the scarf about a neck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuing application of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/693,272 (filed Nov. 23, 2019), which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/771,115 (filed Nov. 25, 2018). The entire disclosures of these prior filed applications, including but not limited to any and all cited references, are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to scarves and more particularly to a scarf with an integrated bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scarves have historically been used to keep warm in cold weather, and as fashion accessories. However, they have historically had few, if any, other purposes or functions.

Bags have historically been used to carry items. However, sometimes people find themselves in a situation in which they need a bag in which to carry items but did not anticipate the need, and therefore did not bring a bag with them. In such situations, the items must be left behind, or carried by hand with difficulty. To avoid these situations, people sometimes decide to bring a bag with them at all times. However, for times when it turns out that the bag was not needed, the effort and inconvenience associated with bringing the bag were needlessly endured.

Accordingly, there is a need for a bag that avoids such effort and inconvenience while being available when needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a scarf with an integrated bag, which addresses the above-mentioned shortcomings by meeting the above described needs. As an example, during cold weather or when accessorizing an outfit, it is not uncommon for people to keep scarves with them whenever leaving their residences or workplaces. The present invention, by integrating a bag with a scarf, provides for those people and others a device that serves as a bag when needed, and avoids needless effort and inconvenience when the bag is not needed, by serving as a scarf that is needed or desired whether or not a bag is needed.

In a preferred embodiment, a scarf of the present invention includes first and second similarly shaped fabric panels. Each panel has a lower portion defined by a bottom edge and side edges. Each panel also has two upper extensions extending from the lower portion. Each of the upper extensions is defined by a top edge and curved sloping sides. The panels are secured to one another along the bottom edges and the sides edges.

The top edges of the first panel are secured to one another to form a first panel seam having a top side and a bottom side, and the top edges of the second panel are secured to one another to form a second panel seam having a top side and a bottom side.

The securing of the panels along the bottom edges and along the side edges forms a bag. The securing of the first panel top edges to one another forms a first handle, and the securing of the second panel top edges to one another forms a second handle, and the handles support carrying of the bag, and contents in the bag.

Due to the securing of the panels and the top edges in the manner described, when the bottom side of the second panel seam is matched to the bottom side of the first panel seam, each panel folds and the folded second panel is in concave alignment with the folded first panel.

This matching of the bottom sides forms a folded configuration in which an opening is formed between the upper extensions of the folded second panel. The scarf, in this folded configuration, can be placed about a neck with the lower portions passed through the opening.

In this regard, preferably, each panel has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge and the top edges, each lower portion has a height defined as a length of the side edges and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge, and each upper extension has a width defined as a length of the top edge.

Further preferably, the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for comfortable placement of the scarf, in the folded configuration, about the neck with the lower portions passed through the opening, as described above.

Still further preferably, the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for maximizing volume of the bag 400 without compromising the comfortable placement.

Additional features and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following descriptions, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following example embodiments are representative of example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates two panels of a scarf, separated from one another, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate front, back, side, and top views, respectively, of the scarf of FIG. 1 in assembled form with the panels of FIG. 1 attached to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate how the below described matching of the bottom sides results in the below described folded configuration.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate how the scarf, in the folded configuration, can be placed about a neck with the lower portions passed through the opening of the folded configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pictures. Preferred embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and methods described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the structures and methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of method operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and construction methods may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Numerous variations, modifications, and additional embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, regardless of the content of any portion of this application, unless clearly specified to the contrary, there is no requirement for the inclusion in any claim herein or of any application claiming priority hereto of any particular described or illustrated activity or element, any particular sequence of such activities, or any particular interrelationship of such elements. Moreover, any activity may be repeated, any activity may be performed by multiple entities, and/or any element may be duplicated. In addition, the sizes, shapes and configurations of the various structures and elements may vary in order to perform specific functions as necessary for a particular implementation.

The present invention in preferred embodiments provides a scarf and a bag in one article. It should be understood that while reference is made herein to a scarf, one or more aspects of the invention can be applied to other articles of clothing such as without limitation shirts, coats, vests and the like, and/or other outfit accessories such as without limitation wraps, shawls, robes, and the like. It should further be understood that while reference is made herein to a bag, one or more aspects of the invention can be applied to effect the formation and/or use of an integrated pouch, sack, purse, sling, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , this figure shows two panels of a scarf of the present invention, separated from one another so that the structure of the panels can be better understood and the manner in which the scarf is formed can be better understood.

In a preferred embodiment, a scarf 100 of the present invention includes a first fabric panel 200 and a second fabric panel 300. The panels 200,300 preferably have the same shape (or at least are substantially similar in shape, approximately similar in shape, and/or within 0-2 inches of each other as to one or more corresponding and/or related dimensions).

More particularly, the first fabric panel 200 has a lower portion 202 defined by a bottom edge 204 and side edges 206A,206B. The panel 200 also has two upper extensions 208A,208B extending from the lower portion 202. One of the upper extensions 208A is defined by a top edge 210A and curved sloping sides, and the other of the upper extensions 208B is defined by a top edge 210B and curved sloping sides.

Similarly particularly, the second fabric panel 300 has a lower portion 302 defined by a bottom edge 304 and side edges 306A,306B. The panel 300 also has two upper extensions 308A,308B extending from the lower portion 302. One of the upper extensions 308A is defined by a top edge 310A and curved sloping sides, and the other of the upper extensions 308B is defined by a top edge 310B and curved sloping sides.

It should be understood that while the panels are shown with the upper extensions having curved sloping sides, the sides can have other profiles. Curved sloping sides are preferred for easing the passage of the lower portions through the opening (as described below) and otherwise enhancing the comfortable placement (as described below) and use of the scarf.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2-5 , these figures show various views of the scarf 100 of FIG. 1 , in assembled form with the panels of FIG. 1 attached to one another as described below. FIG. 2 is a front view. FIG. 3 is a back view. FIG. 4 is a side view. FIG. 5 is a top view.

The panels 200,300 are secured to one another along the bottom edges 204,304. In certain embodiments, the securing is offset, or set in, from the fabric edge at a distance inclusively between 1 and 8 inches. The distance can be selected or established for adjustment of the dimensions and/or volume of the bag (discussed below) and/or for other functional reasons and/or for aesthetic reasons.

The panels 200,300 are also secured to one another along the side edges, with side edge 206A attached to side edge 306B, and side edge 206B attached to side edge 306A (the latter attachment being shown FIG. 4 , and both attachments being shown in FIG. 5 ). In certain embodiments, the securing is offset, or set in, from the fabric edge at a distance inclusively between 1 and 4 inches. The distance can be selected for adjustment of the dimensions and/or volume of the bag (discussed below) and/or for other functional reasons and/or for aesthetic reasons.

The top edges 210A,210B of panel 200 are secured to one another to form a first panel seam 214 having a top side and a bottom side. The top edges 310A,310B of panel 300 are secured to one another to form a second panel seam 314 having a top side and a bottom side.

The securing of the panels 200,300 along the bottom edges (204 attached to 304) and along the side edges (206A attached to 306B, and 206B attached to 306A) forms a bag 400, as best shown in FIGS. 2-5 . The volume of the bag 400 is formed by the seams of the attached bottom edges 204,304 and the seams of the attached side edges (206A to 306B and 206B to 306A), and contents can be passed into the bag 400 (and taken out of the bag 400) through the open top of the volume and placed in between (or removed from between) the lower portions 202,302.

The securing of the first panel top edges to one another (210A attached to 210B) to form the seam 214 forms a first handle 402A and the securing of the second panel top edges to one another (310A attached to 310B) to form the seam 314 forms a second handle 402B. The handles 402A,402B support carrying of the bag 400, and contents in the bag 400. While handles are referenced herein, the described attachments can in other embodiments form straps and the like.

Due to the securing of the panels 200,300 and the top edges 210A,210B,310A,310B in the manner described, when the bottom side of the second panel seam 314 is matched to the bottom side of the first panel seam 214, each panel 200,300 folds such that the folded second panel 300 is in concave alignment with the folded first panel 200.

Referring now also to FIGS. 6-8 , these figures show how the matching of the bottom sides results in the described folded configuration.

From the previously described standard configuration of the scarf 100, shown in FIG. 4 , flipping (or, e.g., twisting, rotating, moving, etc.) the second panel seam 314 downwardly and inwardly toward the first panel seam 214 (as indicated by the movement arrows in the sequential images of FIG. 6 , with solid portions of each arrow indicating visible movement and dashed portions of each arrow indicating movement behind visible parts of the scarf) to place the bottom side of the second panel seam 314 against the bottom side of the first panel seam 214 causes handle 402B to fold under handle 402A and effects a concave folding of the lower portion 302 of panel 300 toward the lower portion 202 of panel 200, which in turn concavely folds around the lower portion 302 of panel 300, such that each panel 200,300 is folded and the folded second panel 300 is in concave alignment with the folded first panel 200 (as best shown in FIG. 7 in side view and in FIG. 8 in back view).

Accordingly, this matching of the bottom sides forms a folded configuration in which an opening 500 is formed between the upper extensions 308A,308B of the folded second panel 300 (as best shown in FIG. 8 ).

As shown in the sequence illustrated by FIGS. 9 and 10 , the scarf 100, in this folded configuration, can be placed about a neck 600 (see FIG. 9 ) with the lower portions 202,302 then passed through the opening 500 (see FIG. 10 ).

In this regard, preferably, panel 200 has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge 204 and the top edges 210A,210B, the lower portion 202 has a height defined as a length of the side edges 206A,206B and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge 204, and the upper extensions 208A,208B have a width defined as a length of the top edge 210A,210B.

Further in this regard, preferably, panel 300 has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge 304 and the top edges 310A,310B, the lower portion 302 has a height defined as a length of the side edges 306A,306B and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge 304, and the upper extensions 308A,308B have a width defined as a length of the top edge 310A,310B.

Further preferably, one or more of the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected or otherwise established for comfortable placement of the scarf 100, in the folded configuration, about the neck 600 with the lower portions 202,302 passed through the opening 500, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 .

Still further preferably, one or more of the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected or otherwise established for maximizing volume of the bag 400 without compromising the comfortable placement.

In this regard, preferred such relative dimensions for maximizing volume of the bag 400 without compromising the comfortable placement of the scarf 100 about the neck 600 are as follows:

A ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is preferably inclusively between 3:1 and 4:1, more preferably inclusively between 3.50:1 and 3.75:1, and most preferably 3.71:1 (or close thereto).

A ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is preferably inclusively between 1.4:1 and 1.9:1, more preferably inclusively between 1.5:1 and 1.7:1, and most preferably 1.6:1 (or close thereto).

A ratio of the panel height to the upper extension width is preferably inclusively between 4:1 and 5:1, more preferably inclusively between 4.4:1 and 4.7:1, and most preferably 4.57:1 (or close thereto).

In at least one preferred embodiment, the panel height is 32 inches (or within −1 to 1 inch thereof), the lower portion height is 20 inches (or within −1 to 1 inch thereof), the lower portion width is 32 inches (or within −1 to 1 inch thereof), and the upper extension width is 7 inches (or within −1 to 1 inch thereof).

A preferred method of manufacturing the scarf 100 includes one or more of the following steps, in no particular order or any particular order:

(1) forming (preferably by cutting) the first panel 200 according to one or more of the dimensions described herein in connection therewith;

(2) forming (preferably by cutting) the second panel 300 according to one or more of the dimensions described herein in connection therewith;

(3) securing (preferably by stitching or fusing) the panels 200,300 to one another along the bottom edges (e.g., 204 to 304) and along the side edges (e.g., 206A to 306B and 206B to 306A) as described herein;

(4) securing (preferably by stitching or fusing) the top edges 210A,210B of the first panel 200 to one another as described herein; and

(5) securing (preferably by stitching or fusing) the top edges 310A,310B of the second panel 300 to one another as described herein.

Accordingly, the present invention in preferred embodiments provides a scarf and a bag in one article.

While the present general inventive concept has been illustrated by description of several example embodiments, and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the general inventive concept to such descriptions and illustrations. Instead, the descriptions, drawings, and claims herein are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive, and additional embodiments will readily appear to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description and drawings. Additional modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A scarf, comprising: first and second fabric panels, each panel having a lower portion defined by a bottom edge and side edges, each panel having two upper extensions extending from the lower portion, each upper extension defined by a top edge and curved sloping sides; wherein the panels are secured to one another along the bottom edges and along the side edges; the top edges of the first panel are secured to one another to form a first panel seam having a top side and a bottom side; and the top edges of the second panel are secured to one another to form a second panel seam having a top side and a bottom side; such that when the bottom side of the second panel seam is matched to the bottom side of the first panel seam, each panel folds and the folded second panel is in concave alignment with the folded first panel.
 2. The scarf of claim 1, wherein the matching of the bottom sides forms a configuration in which an opening is formed between the upper extensions of the folded second panel.
 3. The scarf of claim 2, wherein each panel has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge and the top edges; each lower portion has a height defined as a length of the side edges, and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge; and each upper extension has a width defined as a length of the top edge; and wherein the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for comfortable placement of the scarf, in the configuration, about a neck with the lower portion passed through the opening.
 4. The scarf of claim 1, wherein each panel has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge and the top edges; each lower portion has a height defined as a length of the side edges, and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge; and each upper extension has a width defined as a length of the top edge; and wherein the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for comfortable placement of the scarf about a neck.
 5. The scarf of claim 4, wherein the securing of the panels along the bottom edges and along the side edges forms a bag.
 6. The scarf of claim 5, wherein the securing of the first panel top edges to one another forms a first handle and the securing of the second panel top edges to one another forms a second handle and the handles support carrying of the bag.
 7. The scarf of claim 5, wherein the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for maximizing volume of the bag without compromising the comfortable placement.
 8. The scarf of claim 5, wherein the matching of the bottom sides forms a configuration in which an opening is formed between the upper extensions of the folded second panel, and the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for maximizing volume of the bag without compromising the comfortable placement of the scarf, in the configuration, about the neck with the lower portion passed through the opening.
 9. The scarf of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is inclusively between 3:1 and 4:1.
 10. The scarf of claim 9, wherein a ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is inclusively between 3.50:1 and 3.75:1.
 11. The scarf of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is inclusively between 1.4:1 and 1.9:1.
 12. The scarf of claim 11, wherein a ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is inclusively between 1.5:1 and 1.7:1.
 13. The scarf of claim 8, wherein a ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is inclusively between 3:1 and 4:1, the ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is inclusively between 1.4:1 and 1.9:1, and the ratio of the panel height to the upper extension width is inclusively between 4:1 and 5:1.
 14. The scarf of claim 13, wherein a ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is inclusively between 3.50:1 and 3.75:1, the ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is inclusively between 1.5:1 and 1.7:1, and the ratio of the panel height to the upper extension width is inclusively between 4.4:1 and 4.7:1.
 15. The scarf of claim 14, wherein a ratio of the lower portion width to the upper extension width is approximately 3.71:1, the ratio of the panel height to the lower portion height is approximately 1.6:1, and the ratio of the panel height to the upper extension width is approximately 4.57:1.
 16. The scarf of claim 15, wherein the panel height is approximately 32 inches, the lower portion height is approximately 20 inches, the lower portion width is approximately 32 inches, and the upper extension width is approximately 7 inches.
 17. The scarf of claim 1, wherein the panels are secured to one another along the bottom edges at an offset distance inclusively between 1 and 8 inches.
 18. The scarf of claim 1, wherein the panels are secured to one another along the side edges at an offset distance inclusively between 1 and 4 inches.
 19. A method of making a scarf, comprising: forming first and second fabric panels, each panel having a lower portion defined by a bottom edge and side edges, each panel having two upper extensions extending from the lower portion, each upper extension defined by a top edge and curved sloping sides; securing the panels to one another along the bottom edges and along the side edges; securing the top edges of the first panel to one another to form a first panel seam having a top side and a bottom side; and securing the top edges of the second panel to one another to form a second panel seam having a top side and a bottom side; such that when the bottom side of the second panel seam is matched to the bottom side of the first panel seam, each panel folds and the folded second panel is in concave alignment with the folded first panel; and wherein each panel has a height defined as a distance between the bottom edge and the top edges; each lower portion has a height defined as a length of the side edges, and a width defined as a length of the bottom edge; and each upper extension has a width defined as a length of the top edge; and wherein the relative dimensions of the panel height, lower portion height, lower portion width, and upper extension width are selected for comfortable placement of the scarf about a neck.
 20. The scarf of claim 19, wherein the securing of the panels along the bottom edges and along the side edges forms a bag, the securing of the first panel top edges to one another forms a first handle and the securing of the second panel top edges to one another forms a second handle and the handles support carrying of the bag. 